Jon Bryan

My final post before the WSOP – to find out how to keep the most up-to-date, read on.…

Well, it’s also Velma’s 38th Birthday today and she’s going to spend some of it in a room full of over 2000 blokes who are hoping to see a big pair when they look down.

FOLLOWING ME
So, to be the most up-to-date, you should check out:

www.cardplayer.com
They tend to follow high profile players, so I might be described quaintly as “Seat 2”.

http://pokerblog.paradisepoker.com/index
As a Team Paradise Player, my progress should be on here. It may well be under my internet playing name “NATFHE”. There is a lot of competition on who wears what shirts here, and to qualify as a Team Paradise Player, you have to wear one of their shirts or baseball caps.

Add me to your MSN Messenger list – jonbryan_uk@yahoo.co.uk
I will have my mobile phone with me and I can go online during the breaks – every 2 hours. Breaks are only 20 minutes and 2000 blokes having a pee at the same time will be worse than St. James’ Park. Look for me when I am offline as well as I will post one sentence of information on my messenger by-line.

Remember that the time here is eight hours behind. By midnight UK time I should have played almost 4 hours and will hopefully still be in and have a reasonable update. By 8.00a.m. UK time Tuesday 1st August, I will either have been knocked out, or have a reasonable idea whether making it to day two is a possibility. If still in, I will have approximately three and a quarter hours of play left to go.

Now…..it’s just an hour or so before I am due to hear those famous words “Shuffle up and deal”.

Best wishes to all readers, but a special :-D to all my Hold ‘Em Cup buddies.

Jonny Check Raise

and it's 11p.m. at night here. Have been asleep for a couple of hours - will need to get some more before I start tomorrow. The Kays have gone out for a nice meal tonight, but I passed as I wanted to prepare myself.

A few have asked about how I got here, so here's a reminder:

With Kay away with Sara for the weekend, me and Ivan settle down to a night of poker on Saturday 6th May 2006. There's this free tournamnet to enter on Paradise Poker, costing 1000 player points to enter. Well, I had thousands of those, so we went for it.

487 players were in for this tournament, with the prize package being $2000 to get you over to Las Vegas, and payment of the $10,000 entry fee into the Main Event http://www.paradisepoker.com/promotions/2006/wsop/package.html

6 and a half hours later, and with cheering on the sidelines from Steve, Niki, Paul, Jenna, Dave, Judy, but particularly Ivan (who had also entered and finished around the top 30), and I had won it! I was on my way to Vegas with a free entry into the Main Event of the World Series of Poker.

There are so many entrants here that they have just under 2200 starting on 4 separate days. Even on day two, the vast number of entrants will mean that this is still split over 2 days.

The first day, and mine is Monday 31st July 2006 at 12 noon (8p.m. UK time), is where over 2000 will play down to about 800. I have looked at the cardplayer.com website and each first day so far finishes after 3a.m. 15 hours of poker where the blinds go up slowly but start to hit after the first 4 hours or so is going to be very difficult.

When I left UK to come here, I set myself the aim of trying to play two days of poker here. With so many top class players already being knocked out on their first day, I just hope to survive as long as possible and to not make a mistake.

It is so difficult to describe what it is like here at the WSOP, but if you want a flavour of it from a professional player, go to the bottom of this web-page http://www.expertinsight.com/_Podcast.html and listen to the podcasts on the Main Event. I have been following it on www.cardplayer.com as well, and there are some incredible hands.

Someone flopped four of a kind and went all in. The guy who called hit 2 perfect cards on the turn and river to make a straight flush and knock this poor sod out of the tournament. On day 1B the first hand had two people all in - and the guy who turned over pocket Kings lost to pocket Aces. Someone who didn't turn up yesterday was finally blinded out of the tournament at about 2a.m.

It is such an immense tournament, I will just have to play my best poker. Gus Hansen, Phil Helmuth, Doyle Brunson and so many others have already been knocked out.

One amusing thing about the first day was that in order to make an "all in" bet as efficient as possible, they give you one special chip with "All In" on it, which you verbally declare and then chuck that chip into the pot. They must have been so worried about it's use that the tournament director kept announcing "This chip should not be thrown into the pot as a joke. Only do it if you mean it." Will have to use mine sparingly ;-)

OK, well when Velma recognised the guy above, she had to get his picture!

If you know who he is, you can leave a comment.

Other people we saw yesterday were mainly poker players. Saw Willie Tann, Padraig Parkinson, chatted to Barry "The Bully" from Gutshot, saw Paul Wolf, Mark Seif, Chris Bigler, Joe Beevers, Sam Grizzle, and Dave Colclough. If you need your memory jogged or want to find out who they are, The Hendon Mob database is very good http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/search-all.php

A few drinks at the Paradise Poker stall last night before a free show and some food were very welcome.

Now, let's go on that Helicopter Trip of the Grand Canyon....

OK, the second day of the World Series of Poker Main Event ($10,000 buy-in) and I am starting to get worried. The first day we went down there was just huge – and I have heard that Dan Harrington, the 1995 winner whose consecutive final table appearances in 2003 and 2004 were a huge achievement, got knocked out on day one on Friday. Will need to play my best poker just to get through to the second day.

We went down about 5.30p.m. on Saturday hoping to see some people and some poker and hopefully avoiding some of the crowds (this is 1.30a.m. Sunday UK time).

We still had to queue, but when we got in, Kay immediately said she had found Jesus. She has not turned religious, but had spotted the 2000 WSOP Champion Chris “Jesus” Ferguson. All that poker I make her watch was paying off. He was a bit far away, but a guy with a press-pass offered to go right up to his table and get some pics. We were definitely getting star-struck now.

We had already seen 2004 Champion Greg “Fossilman” Raymer doing an interview and snapped him, and now we were inside the main hall we looked for where cameras or people were and someone we would recognise would surely not be far away.

Andy Black – who everyone thought would win last year, but who eventually came 5th – walked past us as we were looking at Jesus. Thought about saying something, but what do you say? “Can’t believe you made that huge raise on the final table last year” was all I could think of, so I just let him wander on past as I thought that it might be rude.

Then we watched Annie Duke for a bit. “She’s the one who wears those double-layered tops like me” said Kay. She was right once again, and she’s also a WSOP bracelet winner, considered to be probably the finest female poker player in the world, and she won $2 million when she won the WSOP Champions event in 2004 – beating Phil Helmuth heads up having previously knocked out her brother – Howard Lederer.

Annie watched the whole table, didn’t play a hand while I was there, but just looked the part and looked to mean business.

A bit of a commotion at a table nearby, and it was a tall bloke who we all recognised. Then we placed him. He’s from “Everybody Loves Raymond” – the brother – Robert – the tall one who’s the cop. He was getting a 10 minute penalty for swearing so he was off looking for food. Velma Kay was very excited! He returned with some sweets which he offered around the table. Next minute, two guys all in. Pocket Kings held up against Queens with nothing on the board helping either player.

Saw Doyle Brunson playing, but he was surrounded by people and cameras and we were too far away. No flash photography doesn't help either!

Saw Phil Helmuth as we went into get some "Ultimate Bet" t-shirts, but only for a second or two. Don't think he was playing.

Others I saw include the first woman ever to make it to a final table back in 1995 - Barbara Enright, and as you might see from the above, I plucked up the courage to get a photo of me with Cyndy Violette. She was dead nice and I have to admit to being a bit nervous. She has been having a great WSOP this year with 4 cash finishes and one final table appearance making 3rd place and over $100,000. Like me, she starts on Monday and when we found out we weren't sharing a table, we wished each other good luck :-D

Having been star struck, there was a fake thunderstorm with rain, thunder and lightning while we had our supper.

All of this can only happen in Vegas! :-)

Well, managed to get away from my companions long enough to please a few passing fans with this photograph - which they were kind enough to send me a copy of.

The amount of scantily clad young ladies here is something I have never seen before and as a poker player for many years, it is still something I find a little strange.

I may well have to make some sociological comments about it in the future, but for now, it is nice to have the attention :-D

Like me, be lucky.

Jon

Some good news today - my case turned up overnight so I was able to wear clean underwear today - small pleasures in life!

Today was the start of the Main Event of the WSOP and we managed to get there for 12.05p.m. where they were running a few minutes late.

It is almost impossible to describe what it is like here. I really wanted to see the start of the Main Event on the first day, just to people watch and to hear those famous words that kick-off this event - "Shuffle up and deal". To my surprise and pleasure, both Kays had a great time and loved it as well. Spotting famous players and just general people watching.

Well, when we were told that a first time entrant was going to be playing in the Main Event today and also kick-starting it and that he was a 78 year old actor and director, my mind was wondering who it was. Well bugger-me, it was Brett Maverick himself - James Garner! Velma Kay was so excited she could hardly contain herself. He started off the event and less than 7 minutes later, the tournament director announced that everyone had just outlasted the first player. Some poor sod with a baseball cap and a grey sweat-top was on his feet walking out past a few ripples of applause. A quick way to spend $10,000 - I have no idea what hand he went out on.

My Kay showed that she has learnt a thing or two about poker, managing to spot a few players recognised from the TV. We saw Doyle Brunson, Mike Caro and Dewey Tomko (all signing autographs but not playing). I saw a guy with a t-shirt with "Jonny Re-Raise" and so I had to go and introduce myself and get a photo with him. "I'm not famous" he said to me as I asked for a picture with him. "It's ok", I said, "I am!"

We saw Gary Bush, Barry Greenstein, Gus Hansen, Mel Juddah, Mark Seif and Norman Chad. Poker players amongst you will know some of these, and we heard that Tobey Maguire (Spiderman) was playing, but with so many people, we couldn't see him. Apparently he's been knocked out now.

There were so many spectators and players that they kicked us all out after 20 minutes as they were trying to get some latecomers in. Looks like there's going to be about 8,500 playing in total.

Today was the day when I definitely didn't need to get my case back, as we picked up so many t-shirts for free (and a bunch of other things) that it didn't matter.

You can see the 3 of us modelling the Paradise gear that we got yesterday (above) and we spent a bit of time at the Paradise Poker stall.

I begin play at 8p.m. Monday night (UK time) and apparently you can follow progress on www.cardplayer.com and if I am still in after playing, I'll update the site here so you will have something to see on Tuesday by midday at the latest. The Paradise Poker blog link I posted previously will also have something on it.

3.30a.m. in the morning here and I need to get my sleep and awake time going properly - a couple of days still to do that.

Best wishes to all

Jonny Check Raise

OK, well after 5 nights in France, the omens were looking good. Second in the canoeing (see photo above), three gold medals in the Water Polo, but this run of good fortune was about to end. Travelling down to Toulouse on the train was very warm (38C outside) and the air-conditioning was so efficient that during our 2 hour journey we were given a bottle of water each 3 times. We were early so waited at the front of the queue for 45 minutes before check-in began.

Arriving in London and being picked up by Velma, we were one case short - mine - the one with the personalised shirts and t-shirts for Vegas - and the beard and hair clippers!

I was not best pleased with easyJet, as you can imagine, so the 10 hour flight to Las Vegas with the two Kays was made by me in the same clothing - lovely!

Anyway, we eventually got to Vegas and we're staying at the "Aladdin" http://www.aladdincasino.com/ which is very nice so far.

Went down to the "Rio" which is where the World Series is being played, and got my confirmation of start, seat and table. I start on Monday 31st July at 12noon and I am Table 10 Seat 2. Very exciting getting this, but I have no idea who is on my table or even playing on the same day as me. There will be over 200 tables in play every day.

The Poker Room at the Rio is so vast it is unreal. A final table for another event was in progress and we watched it for a bit. A short stack on the button went all in and was called by the big blind who had quite a lot of chips. The button turned over pocket Kings and was up against 10/9 offsuit, but a 9 on the flop and another on the river sent the unlucky sod with Kings out in 4th with prize money close to $200,000. Card Player covered this, so I could also check it up later http://www.cardplayer.com/tournaments/live_updates/3226/10235?page=2

I picked up a pack of stuff from Paradise Poker - which is who I qualified with - and I got a rucksack, polo shirt, tee-shirt, zipped sweatshirt, and then both the Kay's got a Ladies t-shirt as they described themselves as groupies. To see the free drinks that we enjoyed with Paradise, go to http://pokerblog.paradisepoker.com/index.php and look for a post on 06/07/27 called WSOP Booth Photos posted by ShooterGirl.

By now it was around 2-3 a.m. UK time so we were all feeing it a bit, but a quick dash to another stall got me another free t-shirt :-D

Some food and a Margharita each (Velma's idea) and then some sleep. I had about 7 hours but then couldn't sleep so was on the hotel internet and chatting to Big Dave, little bruv (with Jordan) and Dan.

Will post more later after the start later today.

Best wishes to all - Jon, Kay and Kay

Well, to cut a long story short, I made the final table at the Grosvenor Casino £10 Pot Limit Texas Hold Em freezout in Plymouth http://www.grosvenor-casinos.co.uk/bluesq_php/contentportal/ecms/returnpage.php?pagename=PlymouthCasinoDetail.htm

But....

I didn't win any money :(

There were 40 entrants and so £400 was up for grabs for the top few. Dave lasted to about 14th, but was eventually eaten up as the blinds increased. I made some raises to try and steal the blinds, and was unlucky on two occasions. My Ace-4 was called all in by Jack-Ten and a ten saved him, but the hand that did real damage was when everyone folded to me on the button and I raised the pot - 1200 for the blind and 3000 more. I had Jd 9d and after much thought, the big blind called. We both had about 8000 chips at the start of the hand. The flop comes 9 high with rags and no draws and so I bet all in for around 3600 and I get called. I get left with 300 chips and I turn over my top pair. She had King Queen offsuit. A this point, one of six cards can win it for her and give her Kings or Queens to beat my nines, but a ten on the turn and a Jack on the river gives her a straight and I can't believe it. She has hit two running cards to take down a big pot approaching 17,000.

Two people are then knocked out in one hand on the other table and I am in the fnal with 7 other players, but with very little chance and only 300 chips (I had started with 3000 some 4 hours earlier).

The draw for the final table puts me in the big blind and I'm all in before the cards are dealt. I get Ah Kh and triple up - only to be all in next hand as the blinds are 800-1600. My ace-6 hits a six but the big blind hits a seven and I'm out.

Overall, I'm pleased with how I played over the four hours. I had made the most of 66 when the flop came QQ6 and I laid down some big hands (top pair of Jacks being one), but it was confirmed later that I was behind with them. I even threw AK offsuit before the flop when the chip leader raised under the gun and I didn't fancy the possibility of being knocked out. A disciplined fold - or was I just being to conservative?

Anyway, Storm (above) had wished me luck earlier while Kay practiced once more with her new camera.

Off to France on Friday :-D

Bon chance tout le monde!!

Still in Plymouth and tonight there is a £10 freezout tournament tonight which me and my mate Dave are going to at Grosvenor. Small stakes, but enough of a challenge before Vegas.

A package arrived from www.pokerapparel.co.uk this morning full of personalised poker gear for me to wear in the World Series Main Event. Thanks very much to them, and to Scott Arlett in particular. There's a blouse for Kay to wear with "Jonny Check Raise" on it as well :-D

With any luck, the shirts will bring me luck in Vegas, as well as in Plymouth tonight!

OK, for those who are interested, I am getting ready for the WSOP Main Event.

Leaving Newcastle on Tuesday 18th July for 3 nights in Plymouth, 5 nights in France (near Toulouse) and then after a night in Gatwick, flying to Las Vegas on Thursday 27th July, arriving at 1.30p.m. local time.

The Main Event (Event 39) starts on Friday 28th July, but with an estimated 8,000 entrants, there are four separate start days. I start on Monday 31st July (Day 1D), at high noon of course :)

I'm trying to warm up, and last night I came 8th out of 22 at a £20 buy-in game at Stanley's Casino, Newcastle. Unfortunately, the prize money started at 5th, and I was unlucky to find pocket Jacks in the big blind. Unlucky, as my all in was called by pocket Kings. Well, for those who know anything about poker, how was I to know that?

Probably playing at a game in Plymouth at Grosvenors on Thursday 20th. Will post how I get on.

For those who are interested, here are some other details on what I am letting myself in for: http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/events/eventinfo.sps?eventid=36507

Best wishes to all.

Jon